Fantasy Football Week 5: Ranking The Top Wide Receivers
Week 5 in the NFL should see some fairly surprising wide receivers pop up across the fantasy football universe.
Randy Moss is a member of the Minnesota Vikings, Brandon Marshall is on a bye, and somehow, Roy Williams has once again become fantasy relevant.
Will Santonio Holmes make an immediate impact fresh off of his suspension? Can TO continue to prove his critics wrong?
Will Mike Sims-Walker ever catch a ball?
With tons of questions heading into the second quarter of the season, here are the top 10 wide receivers to roll with in Week 5.
Ethan Norof is a writing intern for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
10. Mark Clayton, St. Louis Rams
1 of 10
Is there a wide receiver who you would bench against Detroit?
Clayton has established himself as Sam Bradford's clear-cut No. 1 option, a trend that should last the entire season. Although both of his touchdowns on the year came in Week 2, Clayton has a great chance of finding paydirt again in a very favorable matchup this week.
Owners should keep riding the Clayton hot streak as long as possible, as it appears the work that he and Bradford did together this summer has translated in a big way.
With no other member of the team's receiving core stepping up to challenge him anytime soon, Clayton will definitely be one of the best waiver-wire scoops of the season.
9. Calvin Johnson, Detroit Lions
2 of 10
Shaun Hill remains the starting quarterback, but Johnson is a matchups-proof play.
After hauling in two touchdowns against Green Bay last week, Megatron is sure to feast on the St. Louis secondary this time around. Although the Rams have started hot, the team still lacks the personnel to matchup with him outside, and he should see constant mismatches as a result.
As one of the most sure-handed receivers in the NFL, owners can bet that Hill will be looking his way often in this one, as the Lions hope to capture the first win of the season.
8. Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints
3 of 10
There's no arguing that Colston has been a serious fantasy disappointment thus far, but he is far too talented to bench.
Although Drew Brees likes to spread the ball around, owners can bet that the big wide receiver will be an integral part of this week's gameplan after the Super Bowl Champs narrowly beat a pathetic Carolina team.
Lined up against a soft, squishy defense in Arizona, Colston should have no problem hauling in multiple passes and should garner (at least) his first score of the season.
The Saints will be looking to make a statement, and with the running game struggling mightily (injuries to Bush, Thomas), owners can bet that the Brees-Colston connection will be a beautiful thing to witness on Sunday.
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7. Miles Austin, Dallas Cowboys
4 of 10
After a breakout campaign last season, Austin is facing the kind of coverage reserved for the NFL's elite.
Despite having just one touchdown thus far, it's clear that Austin is Tony Romo's favorite target. Having caught 22 balls through the first three weeks, he is poised to be one of the most prolific receivers this season.
With a matchup against the pesky Titans this week, the Cowboys are going to have to look Austin's way early and often if they hope to have any chance at success. And with the team staring a 1-3 start in the face, a win is absolutely critical if they hope to be considered playoff contenders.
He's almost certain to find the end zone this week and a must-start in every format.
6. DeSean Jackson, Philadelphia Eagles
5 of 10
Jackson is going to have to play a big role this week if the Eagles hope to avoid embarrassment.
While the deep ball probably won't be there, Jackson could see several targets over the middle from Kolb which will give him room to run after the catch.
With RB LeSean McCoy also out (fractured rib), Jackson could very well wind up the team's leading rusher this weekend.
The San Francisco secondary has not exactly lived up to the billing, so look for Jackson to outrun the opposition and really attempt to establish the same connection with Kolb as he shares with Vick.
5. Hakeem Nicks, New York Giants
6 of 10
Nicks should have a field day against a leaky Texans secondary.
With four touchdowns in the first quarter of the season, Nicks is clearly a favorite red-zone target of QB Eli Manning, a trend that should continue for the duration of the season.
The Houston secondary has allowed 24 points per game to opposing wideouts, and while teammate Steve Smith is certain to enjoy success as well, Nicks has serious potential to absolutely go off in this contest.
He is a legitimate WR2 in every format on the planet who will produce like a WR1 this week. Enjoy.
4. Austin Collie, Indianapolis Colts
7 of 10
After an embarrassing loss to the Jaguars last week, the Colts will be looking to make a statement.
Despite taking on an undefeated Chiefs team this weekend, Indianapolis is certain to be the favorite, and Austin Collie is a big reason for that. The Manning-Collie connection has been better than advertised, and among the most potent in the league right now.
With five scores through his first four games (including two in Week 3), Collie has elevated his standing in fantasyland and is now a legitimate WR2. Although the return of Garcon will be sure to slightly deflate his value, it's clear that Collie is now Manning's most targeted player outside of Wayne & Clark.
While the KC defense is much improved from a season ago, by no means is it dominant, and Collie should have no problem finding the end zone once again.
3. Randy Moss, WR Minnesota Vikings
8 of 10
You'd better believe it.
While some might think it'll take a week or two for Favre and Moss to get on the same page, it won't.
The Vikings used last week's bye as a simulated mini-camp for Favre since he missed all of training camp. The Jets have already said that Revis may not be used to shadow Moss on Monday night considering he's recouping from a tricky hamstring injury, further increasing Moss' already enormous value.
With both Favre and Moss looking to silence critics after a slow start to the season, the two will be looking to make a major splash on national television. Although Moss' impact may not be enough for the Vikes to win the game, he'll certainly be a major contributor on your squad.
2. Roddy White, Atlanta Falcons
9 of 10
Roddy White is so good that opposing defenses are smothering him and he's still producing double-digit points.
If Harry Douglas could ever step up across from him and establish himself as a legitimate option, White would be the top fantasy wide receiver in the league.
With a matchup on the horizon at Cleveland, the Falcons are certain to get White heavily involved against a very young, susceptible secondary. White is a lock to get into the end zone at least once, with the likelihood of a big day looming very large.
1. Reggie Wayne, Indianapolis Colts
10 of 10
If you passed on Wayne in your draft due to concerns of his role decreasing in the offense, you should be kicking yourself.
With 15+ points in three of his first four games, Wayne is clearly still Manning's No. 1 and that will continue through the duration of the season. He'll be the first real test for the Chiefs' defense, and it should be a very interesting matchup.
Although he often gets overlooked, Wayne's potential for 20 (or more) points in this outing is enormous as the Colts will most certainly be looking to run up the score and prove that they're still a legitimate Super Bowl contender.
If Kansas City chooses not to double cover him, oh my.
Ethan Norof is a writing intern for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter.
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